Rasŏn (umwhile Rajin-Sŏnbong; Korean pronunciation: [ɾasɔn, ɾadʑin-sɔnboŋ]) is a North Korean ceety in the Kwanbuk region an location o the Rajin-Sonbong Economic Special Zone. In 2000 the name wis shortened frae "Rajin-Sŏnbong" tae "Rasŏn". Frae 1993 tae 2004 wis administered separately frae North Hamgyŏng as the Directly Governed Ceety (Chikhalsi) o Rasŏn. Prior tae 1993 an frae 2004 tae 2009 the ceety haed been pairt o the North Hamgyŏng Province. Since 2010 the ceety is a "Special Ceety", again breakin frae provincial control but different tae its aulder designation as a "Directly Governed Ceety".[2] It is unclear what this means in practice. Rason borders Jilin province o Cheenae an Primorsky Krai o Roushie. In Sooth Korean pronunciation, the initial "R" o the name is pronoonced as "N," as per staundart Korean phonology.